Dallas Cowboys Blog

The Cowboys are on the verge of hiring Derek Dooley as their wide receivers coach, according to a report by ESPN.

Dooley, who was fired as the Tennessee Volunteers’ coach last November after guiding them to a 15-21 record in three seasons, would replace Jimmy Robinson. Robinson, 60, had supervised the receivers the last two seasons after being hired in February 2011.

He also helped develop Dez Bryant, the third-year veteran who had a breakout season in 2012 while collecting 92 catches, 1,392 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. But Robinson wasn’t with the rest of the Cowboys coaching staff last week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., and his absence raised questions about his future.

He is considering retiring or possibly becoming a consultant for the Cowboys.

Dooley has strong ties to Cowboys coach Jason Garrett. He and Garrett worked as assistants on Nick Saban’s Miami Dolphins staff during the 2005 and 2006 seasons.

Dooley also has connections to the North Texas area. From 1997-1999 he worked at SMU, where he was the Mustangs’ wide receivers coach. His wife, Allison, is from Fort Worth.

Dooley will take over a Cowboys receiver corps that accumulated 4,992 yards — the third most in the NFL last season.